Nestable containers



Oct 17, 1967 D. R. KALATA ETAL 3,347,411

NES TABLE CONTAINERS Filed Marh 24, 1965 NVENTLORS A414472: HE/Wy h.H0570# Z6 T1' f E' @4m/ di@ ndf l .4 Dwa United States Patent O3,347,411 NESTABLE CONTAINERS Daniel R. Kalata, 58 Pickwick Drive,Comlnacir, NX.

11725, and Henry H. Huston, 82 Prospect St., Huntington, N.Y. 11743Filed Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 442,398 6 Claims. (Cl. 22u- 97) ABSTRACT FTHE DESCLSURE A nestable lcontainer having a frusto-conical downwardlytapering sidewall, and a bottom which includes a plurality of embossedlugs disposed towards the periphery and a portion lying inside the lugswhich is embossed upwardly forming a surface on the interior of thecontainer for engaging the lugs of and radially and axially restrainingan upper nested container. In one form of the invention the upper end ofthe container has means for spacing it a predetermined distance from anadjacent container in a nested stack of containers.

This invention relates to nestable containers and more particularly tocontainers made of thermoplastic material by vacuum forming. Containersconstructed in accordance with the concept of this invention areparticularly adapted, among other possible uses, for use in packagingcertain consumer commodities such as ice cream, cottage cheese, variousfrozen foods, carry-out foods such as potato salad, and other foods orcommodities.

In handling and dispensing plastic containers, it is desirable toprevent the containers from sticking together when placed in stackedformation and to facilitate mechanical separation and dispensing. It isfurther desirable to maintain lateral spacing between the sidewall ofnested containers.

In essence, the present invention contemplates the provision of anestable container having a plurality of embossed lugs disposed at thebottom thereof, which provide positive abutting engagement between thelower face of the lugs of an upper container with a cooperating surfaceof a lower container disposed in nested relationship. In one embodimentof the invention, the lower faces of the lugs are located substantiallyin the plane of the lower rim of the container and the lugs are disposedclosely adjacent the lower rim. The area of the bottom lying inside `ofthe lugs is embossed upwardly, thereby providing, on

the interior of the container, a surface against which the lugs of anupper nested container may rest.

In one form of the invention the lip portion of the open end is providedwith a configuration which is adapted to receiveand hold thereon aclosure of the plug type or of the snap-over type and such configurationserves the dual purpose of cooperating with the bottom lug arrangementto enhance the stacking arrangement.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a new and improvedcontainer which prevents the containers from sticking together whenplaced in stacked formation. According to this invention, a stack ofnested containers is characterized by a constant spacing of theoutwardly extending lip flanges of one container with respect to thenext adjacent container in order to facilitate accurate dispensing ofindividual containers. Further, according to this invention, the nestedstacked arrangement is very cornpact so that a large quantity ofcontainers may be contained in a small volumetric space for purposes ofshipment or for purposes of dispensing same from a conventionaldispensing machine.

Another aim of this invention resides in the provision of a new andimproved container which provides substantially increased supportingsurface between adjacent containers when such containers are in a nestedstacked condition. That is, according to one form of this invention, thecontainers are constructed so that when two adjacent containers are intheir nested stacked condition, the lower container supports the uppercontainer by a lower contact means towards the bottom of the containerand an upper contact means disposed towards the top of the container.Also, the improved container according to this invention avoids relianceupon wall thickness to prevent successive or full nesting of thecontainers when they are in stacked condition.

Further, it is an aim of the present invention to prevent cocking ortilting of the containers when they are in their nested condition. Thisis accomplished by means of the novel upper and lower supportingsurfaces. Further, according to the present invention, means areprovided which retain the sidewalls of adjacent containers in fixed,spaced relationship one with respect to the next when they are in nestedcondition. It is still another aim of the present invention to allow astack of containers to be subjected to increased abuse or less handlingcare during shipment thereof without causing injury or damage to thecontainers.

Moreover, a feature of the instant invention is the provision of a newand improved container having attributes which make it economical tomanufacture, practical and reliable.

There has thus been outlined ratherI broadly the more important featuresof the invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better undersood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which thisdisclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for thedesigning of other structures for carrying out the several purposes ofthe invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regardedas including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specication, wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordancewith the concept of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view showing the embossed lugs disposed at thebottom of the container;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2, but alsoshowing a second container in nested relationship with respect to thefirst container; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View showingdetails of the interrelationship between two containers innested-stackedcondition.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there is shown acontainer indicated generally at 10, FIG. l, having a slightly taperedsidewall 12 extending upwardly from a bottom 14 at its small end toadjacent its open end 16 where itis provided with a lip 18. The lip 18may take the form of a beaded edge, a rolled edge, or merely a straightupwardly extending flange, as desired.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a circumferential rib 19 is lO- cated in thebottom 14 of the container towards the outer diameter thereof forpurposes of stitfening the bottom wall as well as providing a suitablebase. The bottom 14 is recessed inwardly forming a truncated conicaldepression 20, FIG. 3, providing an upwardly, inwardly sloping sidewall22, and terminating in an interiorally disposed liat top surface 24.interposed between the at top surface 24 and the sloping sidewall 22 isa lug receiving shoulder 26, FIGS. 3 and 4, having a hori- Zontalportion for receiving the bottoms of lugs 28, to be more particularlyreferred to below, and an upwardly extending inner wall portion forengagement with the inner portions of the lugs 23. This shoulder issubstantially peripherally continuous and acts as a strengthening rib aswell as a shelf-like surface against which the ernbossed lugs of anupper nested container may rest and be restrained from lateral movement.

The bottom 14 of the container further comprises a plurality, threebeing shown in the drawings, of spaced, semi-cylindrical shaped lugs 28,FIGS. 1 3, which extend downwardly, from about the location of thejuncture between the sloping sidewalls 22 and the interiorally disposedfiat top surface 24 of the depression 2t), to the plane of the bottomend of the container. As best seen in FIGS. l and 2, the bottoms of thelugs are formed by radially inwardly extensions of the bottom endsurface of the container, and the innermost location of thesemicylindrically shaped vertical wall of each lug is within the zone ofthe sloping sidewall 22 so that the lugs may be regarded as being formedby interruptions thereof. It will be appreciated that the truncatedconical depression 20 also serves to strengthen and reinforce the bottomof the container.

When a plurality of containers are nested in stacked condition, thebottom outside surfaces of the three semicylindrical shaped lugs 28 ofone container register with the outwardly extending lug receivingshoulder 26, FIGS. 3 and 4, of the adjacent container therebelow, andthereby prevent the containers from being completely nested and stucktogether. As seen in FIG. 4, the vertical distance 29, between thebottom of the lugs 28 and the top of the shoulder 26 is called thebottom stacking height. It will be appreciated that the engagementbetween the bottom of the lugs of one container and the truncateddepression of one adjacent container, when in contact, serve topositively space the outwardly extending lip flanges 3.8, FIGS. 3 and 4,a constant fixed distance 30 apart one from the next adjacent one, suchdistance being equal to the bottom stacking height Z9. It is also notedthat preferably the three lugs 28 are disposed in spaced apart locationsso that each container is axially aligned with respect to the nextadjacent container and this alignment is maintained by the cooperativerelationship of the lugs 2S and shoulder 26. This provides a slightspacing 32 between the sidewalls 12 of adjacent containers which issubstantially uniform around each container. Such spacing isparticularly useful when printing indicia on the container sidewall andthe containers are stacked in nested condition before the printing isentirely dry, as well as to protect the printed surface.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the sidewall of the container adjacent its openend is provided with a peripherally continuous outwardly extending firstshoulder 34 presenting a sharply defined outer edge. A substantiallyvertical neck 36 extends upwardly from the shoulder 34, and provided atits upper end is a peripherally continuous outwardly extending secondshoulder 38 presenting a sharply defined inner edge. The outer diameter34a (FIG. 4) of the rst shoulder 34 is slightly greater than the innerdiameter 38aV (FIG. 4) of the second shoulder 38 and the outer diameterof the second shoulder 38h is substantially greater than the diameter34a of the first shoulder 34.

The neck 36 extends substantially vertically and is provided with aperipherally inwardly projecting bead 4t) (FIG. 4) towards the topthereof which serves to add rigidity to the container as well as to formthe second shoulder 38. The second shoulder 38 has at its outer edge anupwardly extending portion 42 which serves to connect the shoulder tothe lip 18, FIG. 4.

It will be `seen from FIG. 4, the sharply defined outer edge of thefirst shoulder 34 and the sharply defined inner edge of the secondshoulder 3S facilitate accurate engagement in register of successivelynested containers. That is, the vertical distance between the shoulders34 and 38, which equals the length of the neck 36, is called the topstacking height. If the respective shoulders of two adjacent containersengage, then the containers are spaced apart a distance equal to the topstacking height (neck length 36). The second shoulder 38 and the bead4t) serve the dual purpose of adding stiffness to the open top of thecontainer and also are used for purposes of sealing a snap-on closurelid (not shown).

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, upperContact is made between shoulders 34 and 3S simultaneously with thelower contact between the bottom of lugs 28 and the lug receivingshoulder 26. The combination of upper and lower contact providesincreased supporting surface area so that a higher stack or greateraxial force may be applied without jamming the containers. This isbeneficial during transit as well as when the containers are in adispensing machine. Further, the combination of upper and lower contactretains the containers in closer axial alignment, thereby preventingcocking or tilting while they are in a nested, stacked condition.

The embodiment of the container as herein described is made from aone-piece sheet of suitable plastic material.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully,effectively accomplished.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention is herein disclosedfor purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof, after studyof this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art towhich the invention pertains, reference should accordingly be had to theappended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A plastic nestable container comprising a sidewall tapering generallydownwardly from a larger diameter adjacent its upper open end to asmaller diameter adjacent its bottom, said bottom being recessedinwardly forming a vertically disposed truncated conical depressionhaving upwardly, inwardly sloping sidewalls with respect to the bottom,a plurality of spaced lugs extending upwardly from the bottom of saidcontainer, said lugs having semi-cylindrical shaped vertical wallsforming interruptions of said sloping sidewalls of the truncated conicaldepression, a substantially peripherally continuous lug receivingshoulder interrupting said sloping sidewalls of the truncated conicaldepression, said lug receiving shoulder having a horizontal portion forreceiving the bottoms of the lugs and an upwardly extending inner wallportion for engagement with the semi-cylindrical shaped vertical wallsof said lugs of an upper nested container.

2. A nestable container according to claim l, wherein said embossed lugsare three lugs spaced equidistantly from the vertical axis of thecontainer.

3. A nestable container comprising a sidewall and a bottom, saidsidewall being generally frusto-conical tapering downwardly from alarger diameter adjacent its open end to a smaller diameter adjacentsaid bottom, means disposed adjacent said upper open end for spacing theupper open ends of a plurality of nested stacked containers apredetermined distance apart, respectively, said distance being definedas the top stacking height, said bottom being recessed inwardly, forminga vertically disposed concave conical depression having upwardly,inwardly sloping sidewalls, a plurality of spaced lugs extendingupwardly from the bottom of said container, said lugs havingsemi-cylindrical shaped vertical walls forming interruptions of saidsloping sidewalls of the conical depression, a substantiallyperipherally continuous lug receiving shoulder interrupting said slopingsidewall of the conical depression, said lug receiving shoulder having ahorizontal portion for receiving the bottoms of the lugs of an upwardlyextending inner wall portion for engagement with the semi-cylindricalshaped vertical walls of said lugs of an upper nested container, thevertical nesting distance between said lug receiving shoulder and thebottom of said lugs being defined as the bottom stacking height, and thebottom and top-stacking heights being substantially equal.

4. A nestable container according to claim 3, further comprising indiciadisposed on the side wall of said container.

5. A plastic nestable container having a slightly tapered sidewallextending upwardly from a bottom at its small end to adjacent its openend where it is provided with a peripherally continuous outwardlyextending first shoulder presenting a sharply defined outer edge and asubstantially vertical neck extending outwardly therefrom and providedat its upper end with a peripherally continuous outwardly extendingsecond shoulder presenting a sharply defined inner edge, an inwardlyextending annular bead forming the upper portion of said vertical neckadjacent said second shoulder, the outer diameter of the first shoulderbeing slightly -greater than the inner diameter of said neck portion atsaid second shoulder and said second shoulder being of a diametersubstantially greater than said first shoulder, the vertical distancebetween said rst shoulder and said second shoulder being defined as thetop stacking height, a plurality of embossed lugs disposed towards theperiphery of said bottom, and the portion of the bottom lying inside thelugs being embossed upwardly forming a surface on the interior of thecontainer for engaging the lugs of an upper nested container, thevertical nesting distance between the surface on the interior or" saidcontainer and the bottom surface of said lugs being defined as thebottom stacking height, and said bottom stacking height Ibeingsubstantially equal to said top stacking height.

`6. A plastic nestable container having a slightly tapered sidewallextending upwardly from a bottom at its small end to adjacent its openend where it is provided with a peripherally continuous outwardlyextending first shoul der presenting a sharply defined outer edge and asub stantially vertical neck extending upwardly therefrom anc providedat its upper end with a peripherally continuou: outwardly extendingsecond shoulder presenting a sharpl; defined inner edge, the outerdiameter of the tirst shoulder being slightly greater than the innerdiameter of saic neck portion at said second shoulder and said secondshoul der being of a diameter substantially greater than said firstshoulder, the vertical distance between the first shoulder and thesecond shoulder being defined as the top stacking height, said bottombeing recessed inwardly by a truncated conical depression providing anupwardly, inwardly sloping sidewall and terminating in an interiorallydisposed top surface, a plurality of spaced semi-cylindrical shaped lugsextending downwardly from about the location of the juncture betweensaid sloping sidewall and the interiorally disposed top surface to theplane of the bottom, the bottoms of the lugs being formed by radiallyinward extensions of the bottom end surface of the container, and theinnermost location of the semicylindrical shaped vertical wall of eachlug being within the zone of said sloping sidewall forming interruptionsthereof, the vertical distance between the bottom of said lugs and anesting surface of the depression `being defined as the bottom stackingheight, and said top stacking height being substantially equal to saidbottom stacking height.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,988,258 6/1961 WitZke 220-97 X3,094,240 6/196'3 Wanderer 220-97 3,139,213 6/1964 Edwards 220-97 THERONE. CONDON, Primary Examiner. GEORGE E. LOWRANC-E, Examiner.

1. A PLASTIC NESTABLE CONTAINER COMPRISING A SIDEWALL TAPERING GENERALLYDOWNWARLDY FROM A LARGER DIAMETER ADJACENT IST UPPER OPEN TO A SMALLERDIAMETER ADJACENT ITS BOTTOM, SAID BOTTOM BEING RECESSED INWARDLYFORMING A VERTICALLY DISPOSED TRUCATED CONICAL DEPRESSION HAVINGUPWARDLY, INWARDLY SLOPING SIDEWALLS WITH RESPECT TO THE BOTTOM, APLURALITY OF SPACED LUGS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAIDCONTAINER, SAID LUGS HAVING SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SHAPED VERTICAL WALLSFORMING INTERRUPTIONS OF SAID SLOPING SIDEWALLS OF THE TRUNCATED CONICALDEPRESSION, A SUBSTANTIALLY PERIPHERALLY CONTINUOUS LUG RECEIVINGSHOULDER INTERRUPTING SAID SLOPING SIDEWALLS OF THE TRUNCATED CONICALDEPRESSION, SAID LUG RECEIVING SHOULDER HAVING A HORIZONTAL PORTION FORRECEIVING THE BOTTOMS OF THE LUGS AND AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING INNER WALLPORTION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SHAPED VERTICAL WALLSOF SAID LUGS OF AN UPPER NESTED CONTAINER.